Villa Moscatelli Blog

Trevi, Umbria - A week without TV

2010-01-27T13:39:00.001+01:00

The Italians - watch on average 28 hours of TV per person per week as compared to 28 hours of weekly viewing by the average Italian. In Italian homes there is nearly always a television in the kitchen as well as in other rooms and it is usually left on during mealtimes.

When a school in Trevi [Umbria] asked two classes to participate in a project in which not only the children but also their parents would spend one week without watching the television at all, then, the families foresaw a difficult seven days. However, 41 children between the ages of 8 and 11 and their families agreed to try, denying themselves the use of video and computer games as well, reports La Repubblica.

The project, called “Oltre lo Schermo” [“Beyond the Screen”] was the idea of Umbrian journalist and mother Giovanna Grieco, who only allows her own son to watch TV for a short time each day. He spends the rest of his free time reading stories and playing games with his family. Ms Grieco suggested games and activities that the children could do in the afternoons at school or at home instead of watching TV.

The emphasis was on interacting with the people around them.
In all, 28 children got through the “week without TV” and they kept diaries of their difficulties and discoveries of other ways to spend their time, such as helping their mothers with the cooking, reading in the school library or enjoying playing games with their parents.

“We enjoyed turning the TV off every time Dad switched it on”, reported eight-year-old twins.
It seems that the older children found the sacrifice harder than the younger ones. The school is happy with the outcome and may extend the project to include other classes in the future.

La scuola del cioccolato

2010-01-14T23:20:00.001+01:00

La Perugina: una storica fabbrica italiana.
Perugia può essere considerata la capitale Italiana del cioccolato dal momento che ogni anno è la sede di Eurochocolate, la manifestazione più importante del settore, e dal 1904 ospita una fabbrica che è entrata a far parte della storia del costume italiano: la Perugina.

Pronta ad accogliere sia grandi che piccini uniti dalla passione per il cioccolato, l'azienda ha creato la Scuola del Cioccolato con un ricco calendario di corsi "per tutti i gusti" e 14 postazioni di lavoro complete di tutti gli strumenti necessari per lavorare il "cibo degli dei" creando la propria personale delizia. I corsi durano mezza giornata e consentono di imparare le basi dell'arte cioccolatiera ma anche di esplorare il mondo della degustazione diventando dei "sommelier" del cioccolato. Imperdibili i classici Master Tutto Latte o Master Tutto Fondente, delle vere full immersion che trattano anche la storia del cioccolato, le caratteristiche delle materie prime e le tecniche di produzione. Chi si sente più creativo può cimentarsi nei "corsi d'artista" come quello per creare e decorare il proprio cioccolatino oppure scegliere uno dei corsi a tema come "Mamma dolce mamma" o "Pasqua in fantasia". Un corso ad hoc è proposto anche agli studenti degli istituti alberghieri per introdurli professionalmente al mondo del cioccolato.

La Scuola del Cioccolato è stata anche il set del film Lezioni di Cioccolato con Neri Marcorè, Luca Argentero e Violante Placido che si sono cimentati in prima persona nei corsi per entrare nel mondo di questo alimento protagonista della storia.

Le lezioni sono tenute dai maestri cioccolatieri Perugina che non solo spiegano passo dopo passo le tecniche fondamentali ma forniscono anche notizie interessanti sulla storia del cioccolato, sui suoi benefici a livello fisico ed emozionale, sulle norme di conservazione e sulle regole per un consumo ideale. Per rendere questa esperienza più completa ad ogni corso si può abbinare una visita al Museo storico del Cioccolato e alla fabbrica Perugina.

Stabilimento Nestlè Perugina
Viale San Sisto
San Sisto, Perugia
Corsi e informazioni: tel. 800-800-907
www.perugina.it

http://www.italytraveller.com/it/x/cooking-class/e/la-scuola-del-cioccolato

What’s Fashion About?”

2010-01-14T23:02:00.002+01:00

"What’s Fashion About?” is the title of the 77th Pitti Uomo [Pitti for Men] Fashion Show which is taking place at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence until 15th January. This is the event that opens the international fashion fair season every year and exhibitors from all segments of the fashion industry participate, including textile manufacturers, garment makers, textile machinery and technology manufacturers, embroidery companies, makers of trimmings and accessories and even laundries. In all 730 exhibitors and 905 brands are participating.

The organisers say that, because of the recession, all fashion houses have been rethinking their strategies and Pitti have reflected this by breaking with tradition in the design of this year’s exhibition space. Spanish designer and architect Patricia Urquiola has revolutionised the design of the main pavilion and, on the lower floor, she has created a “fashion district”. Here the exhibitors’ stands are smaller than in previous years so that there is more space between them to encourage people to stop and talk. “Give up a little of your space so that there is room for all” is the message.

Exhibitors hope that the autumn-winter 2010 – 11 collections will mark a turning point for the industry as it comes out of recession but everything depends on the army of international buyers – 22,000 of them attended the last winter fair - who can make or break a brand. The upturn in the industry’s fortunes is expected to begin with the export market which decreased by 19.6% last year. The fashion companies particularly hope to be able to export their goods to the USA.

Yesterday Lars Nilsson showed elegant outdoor wear for men along with brightly patterned scarves. The waistcoat is definitely back in his suits and evening jackets featured a Bogey cut. Japanese designer Jun Takashaki showed in Italy for the first time in the setting of the Boboli Gardens in the evening. Corleani are showing at the Pitti for the first time. Pitti_W Woman Precollections are showing simultaneously at the Dogana. These are collection previews taking place in an exhibition space designed by Oliviero Baldini.

http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/firenze/whats-fashion-about

Darwin Day - Perugia 2009

2009-12-07T12:36:00.001+01:00

To commemorate the centenary of Darwin's Evolution of the Species theory, the Associazione Nazionale Insegnanti di Scienze Naturali, the Centro di Ateneo per i Musei Scientifici have scheduled a long series of events throughout Umbria for Darwin Day from February through to December.

Email: segreteria@perugiasciencefestival.it

Forget Van Gogh's ear - it's Galileo's molar

2009-12-07T12:16:00.002+01:00

A private art collector who recently purchased a seventeenth-century box containing unidentified “artefacts” must have had a gruesome surprise when he opened it, for it contained a human tooth, a thumb and a middle finger, later authenticated as having belonged to none other than Galileo Galilei [1564 – 1642] who was condemned by the Vatican for claiming that the Earth moved around the Sun.

The collector contacted the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza in Florence and the Museum’s director, Paolo Galluzzi, pieced together the story:
when Galileo died, those close to him feared that the Church would refuse him burial in consecrated ground because of his “heresies” so his body was taken to a small room beneath the bell tower of Santa Croce.

In 1737, 95 years after the astronomer’s death, his body was removed from its “temporary” grave and placed in a monumental tomb in the Basilica itself. It was during this process that Giovanni Targioni Tozzetti, chief physician of the Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova Gualtieri, removed the tooth, two fingers and the thumb from the right hand and the fifth lumbar vertebra. He wrote that he found it difficult not to yield to the temptation to remove the skull too, for it “had housed such extraordinary genius”.

One of the fingers was kept in the Science Museum in Florence and the vertebra was conserved at the University of Padua, where Galileo had taught.
The other body parts, however, were kept in a blown-glass vase inside a wooden container and this was passed down the generations of a noble family. Eventually, no one in the family knew what was in the container and they sold it. All trace of it was lost by 1905. Then suddenly it turned up at auction.

The rediscovered relics will be displayed in the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza in Florence when it reopens next year as the Museo Galileo.

http://www.italymag.co.uk/

Wine of the Month: Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia

2009-11-16T13:18:00.001+01:00

Ten years old and still going strong. First made in 1997 and released in 1999, Le Serre Nuove is a complex aromatic red by the acclaimed Tenuta dell’Ornellaia winery in Tuscany.

One of the Tenuta’s three wines, it came 12 years after the flagship Ornellaia and, like its big brother, it quickly garnered international praise.

Le Serre Nuove is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, mainly made with grapes from younger vineyards. Technically, it is a second vin, a byproduct of Ornellaia, because it is produced with base wines that don’t make the cut during the flagship wine’s extremely rigorous selection process.

But second vin doesn’t mean it is a second rate wine. Its combination of intense aroma, structure, balance, but also freshness, softness and approachability captured critics’ interest from the very early days.

Each of the base wines is fermented and aged separately, first in stainless steel vats, then in barrels. After 12 months, the blending takes place. Once blended, the wine is aged in barrels for three months, and in bottle for six more. The end result has been described as “gorgeous”, “mellifluous”, “very rich”, and “elegant”, and, over the years, was awarded a minimum of 88 points (for the 1997 vintage) and a maximum of 92 (for the 2004 vintage) by wine bible The Wine Spectator.

Now the tenth anniversary vintage, which dates from 2007, promises to be among Le Serre Nuove’s very best. The weather was perfect in September two years ago, with hot sunny days and cool nights, ensuring the grapes ripened to perfection.

"Having ideal conditions in September enabled a perfect, slow, steady ripening of the grapes," says Leonardo Raspini, general director and agronomist of Tenuta dell’Ornellaia. "In this way, the grapes mature with a good concentration of aromas and polyphenols and without any hint of overripening.”
The resulting wine has “a complex bouquet, with intense red berry fruit, sweet spice and balsamic mint and eucalyptus accents," according to Axel Heinz, winemaker of Tenuta dell’Ornellaia. “Ample and silky on the palate, it displays an elegant, deft tannic structure, fresh sweet fruit, and intense minty accents.”

The 2007 vintage of Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia is available now.

Vampire trips in Volterra

2009-11-12T19:13:00.000+01:00

Why are young people [and some of their mothers] flocking to the small Tuscan town of Volterra?

Ah, romance is far from dead in the twenty-first century and these particular pilgrims have set out for the “shrine” where Stephanie Meyer, the author of “Twilight” and “New Moon”, set a particularly important scene between her heroine Bella and Edward, the vampire she loves.

Volterra is also where the elite vampire coven, the Volturi, reside in the books and films of the “Twilight Saga”.

The film version of ”New Moon”, starring Kristen Stewart as Bella and Robert Pattinson as Edward, is due to be released on November 20th in the USA and Italy and on November 27th in the UK. Despite a vigorous online campaign for filming in Volterra the Italian scenes were actually shot in nearby Montepulciano but that has not stopped the townsfolk of Volterra from making the most of the tourism opportunity which has come their way: you can book Vampire Tours, New Moon weekends and a tour called “Hot on the trail of Bella and Edward”. You can buy “New Moon” mugs, calendars and even soaps.

Should you be in the town and suffer from “New Moon fatigue”, you can always explore the walled city itself, with its Roman Theatre, palaces, Museo Etrusco Guarnacci and twelfth century Duomo. And should you need a complete change of scene, you can escape to the medieval hill town of San Gimignano.
“New Moon” is not Volterra’s only claim to literary fame as the Italian novel “Chimaira” by Valerio Massimo Manfredi is set there and the town is mentioned in Dudley Pope’s “Captain Nicholas Ramage” series. In real life the French author Stendhal had a disastrous encounter with his unrequited love there.

http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/volterra/vampire-trips-volterra

Chestnuts: a rare treat, and versatile too

2009-10-04T11:42:00.002+02:00

Hanging by a thread off laden branches, chestnuts sparkle like dark jewels.
They look like huge, fat raindrops, and gleam with a perfect deep brown gloss against the golden spines of the half-open burrs that hold them.
Deep inside—wrapped securely in the shiny peel's firm cocoon, sheltered by what remains of the prickly burrs—the straw-yellow core is ripening, getting ready to yield its sweet, nutty flavour to the voracious embrace of a roasting pan.

Soon starch will turn into sugar and the chestnuts will start falling with muffled thuds on the mossy undergrowth that carpets woods from Piedmont to Umbria.

Europe's oldest living chestnut tree, which stands in Sicily, is reputed to be more than 3,000 years old.
It is so big that legend wants it to have given shelter to a medieval queen, Joan of Aragon, and her escort of 100 knights on a stormy evening. If the story is true, it was already there when the Romans, who were great fans of the plant, started planting chestnut trees along the length and breadth of the Mediterranean basin.
The sweet nuts were so popular that even the empire's greatest poets sung of them in their work—in the Eclogues, Virgil recalled a dainty dish of chestnuts cooked in milk and eaten with cheese, while Martial raved about the roast ones he had in Naples.

In some areas, such as the Tuscan Apennine, chestnuts were the main staple since Roman times and throughout the Middle Ages - chiefly because of their nourishing qualities, though their reputation as aphrodisiacs can't have hurt.

Also from TuscanyIUmbria comes castagnaccio, a thin, textured, nutty cake made with chestnut flour peppered with pine nuts and rosemary.
Even richer is Monte Bianco, a rum-drizzled mountain of chestnut puree and cocoa, covered by a snow-white blanket of whipped cream.

And of course there are chestnut-filled tortelli, chestnut flour fritters,and the velvety marmellata di marroni—a chestnut puree blended with syrup and cooked until it becomes a deliciously sweet cream.

The best places to savour the nuts, both in traditional and innovative recipes, are the areas of production.
Virtually every hill or mountain wood in Italy will have a chestnut grove - they cover some 15% of Italy's wooded surface—but the most acclaimed nuts come from Tuscany and Umbria, Piedmont and Campania.

Armani catches the eye

2009-09-27T14:50:00.002+02:00

Milan Fashion Week started in earnest yesterday with shows by Giorgio Armani, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli’s younger line, Just Cavalli.

After some unpleasant wrangling on show times earlier in September—Dolce & Gabbana changed the date of their show to avoid it coinciding with Jewish Yom Kippur, but in doing so risked an overlap with Krizia and Cavalli’s shows, thus requiring some last-minute calendar alchemy by the Milan Fashion Chamber—the runs went on without a (visible) hitch.

Just Cavalli was among the first big names to take to the catwalk, with an all-out sexy show that celebrated the brand’s tenth anniversary. Never subtle or understated, Cavalli was true to form this year, sending out the first girl in a sheer pink confection which proudly displayed the words ‘I have been touched by Cavalli’ right across the waist. The designer went for a sultry punk look, with lots of distressed denim, pointy bras and see through tops, barely tempered by the odd delicate, whimsical (but rigorously transparent) dress.

Denim reigned supreme at D&G, Dolce & Gabbana’s youth line, who went for the stylish cowgirl look. Think rolled denim shorts, minuscule denim skirts, denim dresses with plenty of ruffles and even a tiny, chic denim pullover—all worn with suede cowboy boots with fringes (and if that sounds a somewhat nonsensical outfit to wear in the height of Italian summer, hey! hot feet are a small price for fashionistas to pay so they can be right on trend).

The look of choice at Krizia was more grown-up and sophisticated, with plenty of cream and black dresses enlivened by sequins and eye-catching prints (including the house’s obligatory panther). But don’t be fooled to think that grown-up means something a normal adult woman could easily wear—some of Krizia’s dresses were so short they nearly allowed glimpses of underwear, and the long ones were embellished by princess-at-the-ball-like ruffles and ruches.

High hemlines were also de rigueur at Prada’s quirky, dream-like show. Shorts, skirts and barely-there briefs were paired with glamorous, crystal-encrusted tops and tailored coats, with the odd lilac and blue occasionally breaking up the streaming ocean of silver, black, and black and white prints.
But it was the veteran of Italian fashion, Giorgio Armani, who stole the day with bright, extraordinary creations.

Armani is recovering from hepatitis but that didn’t stop the 75-year-old designer from putting on a great show. His collection managed to be feminine and geometric at the same time, and always, always sophisticated. Bold, structured lines provided the framework, which Armani embellished with plenty of loose-fitting pieces and lots of fluff (think bubble skirts and ruffles, but also defined shoulders and high belts).

Either or both shoulders were often bare, legs were very much on show, and tops were slashed to the midriff but Armani’s pieces looked precious and elegant, rather than tacky and suggestive. This is partly thanks to the fabrics of choice—stiff silk was a favourite for dresses— coupled with chic geometric motifs and jewel hues—rich blues and greens, silver and ruby, with the odd, dazzling touch of hot pink. And, guess what? There wasn’t a single scrap of Armani’s one-time favourite beige in sight.

So what are the hot trends that emerged from Milan’s first big day? Ultrashort is definitely in—as in short skirts, short dresses, short anything. The body is very much on show. But the sexy look is softened by ruffles, ruches and reasonably-heeled shoes (or even flat sandals, as seen on the Armani catwalk); played down with the use of bright summer colours; and made more sophisticated by pairing loose and sculptured, structured elements.

italymag.co.uk

Julia Roberts comes to "eat" in Italy

2009-08-25T09:25:00.002+02:00

The American Holywood star is filming a new movie to show in 2011, entitled "Eat, Pray, Love" that describes the journey of a woman through Rome for pleasure, Mumbai for spirituality and Bali for "balancing".

The film is based on the book by Elizabeth Gilbert, entitles "Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia".

After a bad divorce the main character of the book goes on a year long journey that begins in Rome were she spends 4 months learning the language and enjoying the cuisine, before going to India to meditate in an ashram and then Indonesia to reconnect with a healer in Bali.
A funny couple of excerpts from the book:---
"I wish Giovanni would kiss me.
Oh, but there are so many reasons this would be a terrible idea. To begin with, Giovanni is ten years younger that I am, and - like most Italian guys in his twenties - he still lives with his mother."

---
"I instantly love Naples. Wild, raucous, noisy, dirty, balls-out Naples. An anthill inside a rabbit warren, with all the exoticism of a Middle-eastern bazaar and a touch of New Orleans voodoo. A tripped-out, dangerous and cheerful nuthouse [...] The Neapolitan women in particular are such a gang of tough-voiced. loud-mouthed, generous, nosy dames, all bossy and annoyed and right up in your face and just trying to friggin' help you for chrissake [...]"

---
The film will be directed by Ryan Murphy and filming in Rome will take place later this year.

http://www.italymag.co.uk

UMBRIA, ITALY - HEALTH

2009-08-22T13:15:00.002+02:00

My wife and I are both English and have been living in Umbria, Central Italy for almost 30 years. During that time various friends, clients and relatives have suffered from broken, shoulders, legs and ankles, have had heart attacks and nervous breakdowns, have torn their hands, cut their fingers and had things in their eyes, have suffered from perforated ulcers and internal haemorrhaging, but apart from that, have been pretty healthy! The local Italian, or Umbrian health service is outstanding.

So, our area of the Upper Tiber Valley is served by three excellent hospitals, Perugia, Umbertide and Citta’ di Castello. No-one, as far as I know has ever received a bill for more than €30 – 40 despite the cost of their treatment, ambulance transfers and after care. Excellent Umbrian Health care.

My visits to all these hospitals has found them to be clean, well equipped and caring. No-one waiting, or dying, in the casualty or emergency reception. No-one parked to live, or die, on trollys in corridors, no-one ever turned away because they hadn’t paid their medical insurance, and no-one being turned away uncured. unhelped or uncared for.

I can't rate the local health services more highly.

We run a country house, hotel, B&B, guest house called La Preghiera, rent a villa for holidays and vacations called Moscatelli, and build and restore ancient farmhouses, country houses or real estate and, depending on where our guests, friends and clients have come from, our local health service seems to be, like our home and properties, four star.

John Tunstill, Umbria, Italy.

Classic Films set in Umbria, Tuscany

2009-08-13T15:48:00.004+02:00

But if you really want a "Room With a View"; for your vacation or holiday in Italy; from "My House in Umbria"; near Umbertide, Citta' di Castello and Montone, see La Preghiera; hotel, country house, inn, bed and breakfast; and which is only a few miles away from Bramasole in Cortona, which featured in "Under the Tuscan Sun", and is near where they filmed "Brother Sun and Sister Moon" in Asissi; and which is featured on the site Reelstreets where some 350 films are examined for their real movie locations; and which is only an hour's drive from the shooting location of "Life is Beautiful", as well as "Tea With Mussolini"..................you really ought to come and stay and enjoy the understated pleasures of life in the Umbrian countryside............and maybe view a few of the houses which are for sale in Umbria. Fly into Perugia, Bologna, Ancona, Forli, Pisa, Roma or Firenze.

Celebrate Evensong in Morra, Umbria

2009-08-07T20:51:00.002+02:00

On the 29th of August there will be held a celebration vesper or evensongs to formalise an ecumenical meeting in Morra, in the Upper Tiber Valley of Umbria, between the Catholic Church represented by Bishop Cancian of the diocese of Citta' di Castello; Bishop Rowell, the Anglican Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe and Bishop Celoci of the Orthodox diocese of Italy and Malta.

This celebration is open to all men and women of goodwill and will be followed by a dinner.

Gian Carlo Vichi, 06 557 2754, 075 857 4140 is organising the event and will be accepting bookings for the celebration dinner, the cost of which is €22.00 per person.

CHEAP VILLA RENTALS IN ITALY’S UMBRIAN REGION

2009-07-26T14:00:00.002+02:00

The Upper Tiber Valley in the north of Umbria is an area of peace and tranquillity, set in this verdant countryside are two villa rental properties that in response to the current credit crunch have reduced their tariffs to attract foreign travellers. The three bedroom converted barn, Villa Moscatelli offers access to a swimming pool, a gorgeous mature garden and side open spaces in which to walk or take a horse ride.

Situated between the towns of Citta di Castello, Umbertide, Montone and Cortona, there are another ten medieval hilltop villages nearby to explore. The area boasts forty restaurants, bars and shops and an exciting collection of Renaissance art locally. La Preghiera a large, restored nine bedroomed monastery is the perfect venue to hold that fairytale wedding, family get together or overdue reunion is easily accessible with Perugia airport only 40 minutes away.

Umbria Jazz 09 - July 10 - 19

2009-07-13T11:24:00.002+02:00

A great event !

The summer jazz Festival is back in Umbria with its old formula, meaning artistic quality that matches big numbers.

Umbria Jazz 09: 36 years of history 7 editions at Arena Santa Giuliana as main stage10 days of concerts (10 – 19 July )9 stages including the ones at the Arena,

the theatres, squares and restaurants220 events, free for the most part550 performers66 Grammy Awards on the main stage at the ArenaThe eclectic line-up of Umbria Jazz Festival tells the spectators at what extent music can be different and the reasons why,

if we talk about good music, it all deserves attention. Popular songwriters will be performing in Perugia ( Paolo Conte, Burt Bacharach, James Taylor) along with some extreme vanguards ( Cecil Taylor and George Lewis presenting the AACM project)and the sophisticated accredited pop authors (Steely Dan and Simply Red);the orthodox jazz with McCoy Tyner and Bill Frisell, the Roy Haynes Trio, Ahmad Jamal) ;

the ever-green standards (three tributes to Nat King Cole: George Benson with a big string orchestra, the crooner Allan Harris, Freddy Cole, the great singer’s brother) and the Black music (BB King, Solomon Burke, Maceo Parker, John Scofield with the New Orleans project).

It is worth mentioning the two encounters between the USA and Italy with Wynton Marsalis –Francesco Cafiso and the never seen before duo Chick Corea – Stefano Bollani. Charles Mingus music will be celebrated with the Mingus Dynasty and Quintorigo. Italian Jazz will be well represented, as usual with, among the others Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Gianluca Petrella, Enrico Pieranunzi, Renato Sellani, Danilo Rea, Roberto Gatto and Gabriele Mirabassi, plus the curious “intrusion” of Gino Paoli who shares a good feeling with the jazz music.

www.umbriajazz.com

Santa Rita of Cascia

2009-05-23T21:37:00.000+02:00

Words by Michelle Fabio

One of the most beloved Italian saints is St. Rita of Cascia, a native of Umbria who died in Cascia in 1456. Santa Rita is widely celebrated not only in the Green Heart of Italy but also throughout the country on her feast day, 22 May, with Mass, processions, and other festivities. St. Rita has a most interesting tale for a saint as she was married and had children.

Although St. Rita had always wanted to be a nun, she obeyed her elderly parents’ wishes to marry a harsh, immoral man when she was just 12 years old. She was a loyal wife and mother of twin sons for 18 years, but family life went sour when her husband was murdered and her sons sought revenge.

St. Rita tried to persuade them to change their minds, but when she realized nothing could stop them, she prayed they would be taken from Earth so they couldn’t commit murder themselves; they died of natural causes a year later. Alone in the world, St. Rita sought admission to the Augustinian convent in Cascia, but was refused because she was a widow. Eventually she was admitted, though--her entrance itself a miracle as she claimed to have been transported inside by her own patron saints, John the Baptist, Augustine, and Nicholas of Tolentino.

St. Rita is often portrayed holding roses and/or figs and sometimes with an injury to her head because when she had asked to suffer as Jesus had, a thorn from the Crown of Thorns on a figure of the crucifixion fell on her forehead and cut her. She is the patron saint of hopeless causes, abused women, and parenthood.

W Santa Rita!
http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy-featured/cascia/celebrating-st-rita-cascia

"Lo Spino", Speed, Dust and Scenery in the Upper Tiber Valley

2009-05-13T18:31:00.000+02:00

The weekend of the 15th May will see the start of "Lo Spino" this is the 37th time this annual up hill speed race has been run. Competitors, in powerful, modified sports cars or special production cars will thunder their way, through some of Italy’s most beautiful mountain scenery in search of victory. Starting from the little town of Pieve Santo Stefano they will climb 1000 metres, over 7Km in under 3 minutes against the clock, on a steep, twisting course towards La Verna.

The crash barriers and bleachers are in place, the navigators signs indicating the direction and degree of turn have been put up, all that is needed now are the cars and crowds. The first event was run back in 1965 and won by Sangry La in an Alfa Romao TZ1, averaging 102Km/h. At the end of the 60’s its fame was already established and over 6,000 spectators made their way to this remote Tevere valley to watch the spectacle. The fastest ascent was by Parschal Irlando in 1992, driving a BMW with an average speed of 143Km/h.

Safety concerns in 2002 however saw the introduction of measures to ensure the well being of both spectators and drives, the course was shortened from 12Km to seven and modifications to cars were made to limit their speed. Fortunately this has not dampened the race for either the drivers or those watching. It is still as exciting to watch the cars speed their way around this torturous route with breath taking views all about.

If you can’t make the trip to the Upper Tiber Valley, then check out this clip on Youtube to experience the thril from the drivers vantage point. Click here.

Festa dei Ceri - Gubbio Candle Race

2009-05-09T13:07:00.000+02:00

If you are in central Italy this month, Gubbio’s Festa del Ceri, held every 15th of May is an event you can’t miss. For over 900 years the people of the Umbrian town have celebrated the lives of Saints Ubaldo; the towns patron saint, St George and St Anthony with a race through the streets.

There is much pageantry and ritual attached to the ceremony with a colourful procession of the three Ceri (25’ wooden sculptures depicting each saint.)Mass is celebrated and a large luncheon feast is held before the teams commence the race.

Starting from the Piazza Grande they travel up the back up the hill to the Basilica di Sant Ubaldo. The teams consist of ten carriers who are changed every ten minutes without stopping until the winners, which are always the Ubaldo team reach the doors of the Cathedral and attempt to close them before the others enter. Once the Ceri are safely stored, the saints are bought out and a candlelit procession continues around the town along with more eating and drinking.

May's programme of Events

2009-05-04T17:04:00.002+02:00

May truly sees the start of the festa season, with the Umbrian town of Gubbio staging two of the big events of the year. Both the Festa dei Ceri (the candle race) and Palio della Balestra (crossbow competition) are unmisable occassions in the Upper Tiber Valley calendar.

Until 7th Citta di Castello, Piazza Vitelli, Exhibition covering a range of furniture, arts and crafts
1st - 3rd Citerna “Citerna Fotografia” exhibition of photos by Vasco Ascolini
1st – 3rd Pistrino 19th annual “festa dei fiori” agricultural and flower show.
4th – 13th Cdi C Stadio Bernicchi holds the “Trofeo Cartoedit” junior football tournament.
6th – 8th Cdi C Cathedral, 11th E. Zangarelli musical competition for school children.
7th – 9th Assisi Medieval festival in period costume, archery, processions, flag waving and jousting.
10th S. Giustino Antiques market.
10th Lisciano Niccone “Lo Scambivendolo, agricultural, biological and antiques market.
14th – 17th Cdi C Zoccolanti, the popular religious festival for St Pasquale.
15th Gubbio Festa dei Ceri, the ancient race through the streets of Gubbio
17th Cdi C Piazza Metteotti, Antiques market.
17th Montone 6th Umbertide Endurance motorbike race.
24th Gubbio Replica of the Ceri race in miniture
24th – 2nd Cerbara 24th annual Countryside Cherry festival.
24th Monte S. M Tiberina Ascension Day, featuring a historical procession.
30th -2nd Cdi C Piazza Matteotti, Moto in an open air concert.
30th – 31st Cdi C Communal Pool, 22nd International Swimming competition.
31st Umbertide,Scula Media Mavarelli, 44th annual “Fotografia Umbria” exhibition of photographic equipment.
31st Gubbio The famous medieval Crossbow competition.
31st Cdi C Stadio Comunale, “Matty & Co” football tournament.

Citta di Castello to Rome by Canoe

2009-04-28T09:00:00.001+02:00

The 25th April saw the start of the 30th annual descent of the River Tiber from Citta di Castello to Rome. This now internationally acknowledged event, is the highlight of the canoeing calendar, especially for the clubs of Castello and Milan whose members made the first trip back in 1969.

Over the intervening years the event was run intermittently but in 1982, canoeist Francisco Bartolozzi, organised the festival for the first time and although the trip was undertaken by a small group, it assured the descents future. The following year there were more participants as well as an accompanying Army lorry used to transport the canoeist belongings, tents and support equipment. Before this all equipment was carried in the canoes and often ended up soaking wet.

1984 saw the competition come of age and attracted over 200 registrations and also have two Army trucks in attendance. Now it is recognised throughout the canoeing world and entrants arrive from all over Europe, include individual professional competitors, family groups, with ages from 5 to 80 years old.

The week long trip covering 25 -30 Km each day, has a troop of supports who follow the competitors, some on foot, by bicycle or in one of the support vehicles. They help at the difficult sections porting canoes around weirs and dams, setting up camp with its famous field kitchen.

The event also has an ecological aspect to it, helping to monitor the rivers course, erosion and pollution. Food cooked during the week uses locally produced ingredients and encourages people to examine the relationships between man and the environment. It allows people to renew old friendships, appreciate the beautiful landscape, towns and villages along the river and experience a tranquil, leisurely trip to Rome.

For anyone interested in cheering on our intrepid adventurers, they will be starting from the Ponte del Tevere, Citta di Castello on 25/4, Umbertide 26/4, Deruta 27/4, Fratta Todina 28/4, Civitella del Lago 29/4, Nazzano 30/4, arriving at Ponte Milvio, Rome 1 May.

Cycling Through Umbria

2009-04-07T12:35:00.001+02:00

Sunday, April 5th, saw the running of the 15th Upper Tiber Valley Cycling tournament. Teams of cyclists from all over Italy decended on the area all weekend to join in this annual 155km ride through some of the most beautiful countryside in Umbria.

The circuit started in the historic centre of Citta di Castello, heading south towards Trestina, through its surrounding hills.and back through San Secondo with its famous narrow gap, "the stretto", back to Citta di Castello. Then up to Lama, San Giustino and finally the picturesque village of Citerna before heading back to Citta di Castello and the finish. This now established national event kicks off the cycling season with many more competitions to take place throughout the province. One commentator said it was like the "Cavallo di San Francesco" on bikes weaving their way through the TIber valley, except this time is was only the traffic they were trying to avoid and not the City Guards of Perugia.

For the less competative cyclists out there Umbria provides excellent oportunities with the Appenine trail or the Walks of Saint Francis around Assisi but even a gentle ride through the many country lanes and hillside trails will prove an enjoyable experience.

Events in April

2009-04-02T19:13:00.002+02:00

Yes Spring is finally in the air, the days are getting longer and warmer and the first hints of green are appearing. This is reflected in the range of activities that continue to grow as the heat of Summer arrives. This month we have a wide range of entertainment to appeal to all tastes, plays, sporting events and fairs, especially with Easter around the corner.

Photo by Umbriart

5th April Palm Sunday

5th “Trofeo Alta Valle del Tevere” cycling competition around Citta di Castello and its surrounding countryside. www.unioneciclistica.it

8th April – Cantori di Assisi – From 9pm in the Basilica of St Clara the Assisi Choir will be holding their Easter recital.

10th April – Procession by the citizens of Montone in medieval costume.

10th April - Good Friday procession – Statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary will be paraded through the streets of the old centre of Citta di Castello. 8pm.

10th April – The procession of Christ in Gubbio, a tradition which dates back to the 13th Century will start at 7pm and be led by the Brothers of the Church of St Croce della Foce, accompanied by two choirs; the procession makes its way through the torch-lit streets.

Until 11th April - Umbertide - April Exhibition of the Great War in the Upper Tiber Valley, in the Fabbrica Moderna, Piazza Marx

12th April – Pietralunga holds its traditional egg festival “Tocciata” in the main piazza from 11am.

12th April - Piazza Garibaldi, Assisi, Giant Easter Egg exhibition, showing the talents of the local school children.

18th – 26th April – Settimana Della Cultura/ Seven Days of Culture – Perugia. A week of events, guided tours, activities and exhibitions throughout Perugia. Celebrating its cultural heritage and encouraging the public to participate in discovering their own talents. For more information: www.beniculturali.it

19th April – Antiques Market – Citta di Castello

25th April – Descending the Tiber 2009, now celebrates the 30th anniversary of this event where canoeists row from Citta di Castello to Rome. www.discesadeltevere.org

25th April – Flag Waving and Bell Ringing Festival – Gubbio, Piazza Grande, 11.30am

26th April – Walk in the Woods – an organised ramble through the lovely Montone countryside to the Castle Carpini. Starts at 12.30 in the Piazza Fortebraccio, Montone.

La Festa della Donna

2009-02-27T01:11:00.001+01:00

words by Michelle Fabio

International Women’s Day (IWD)

is held 8 March, and in Italy,it’s called La Festa della Donna.

The first IWD was really a National Women’s Day held in New York City in 1909;

by 1911, the idea of a day honouring women had spread to Austria,Denmark,

Germany, and Switzerland and now celebrations are held in countries throughoutthe world including China, Russia, Bulgaria, Mongolia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

The symbol of the day is the yellow mimosa, and men are encouraged to give a bunch of them to all of the important women in their lives.

Read more about International Women’s Day at

http://www.internationalwomensday.com/.

http://www.italymag.co.uk/

Festivals for March in Umbria

2009-02-26T17:02:00.002+01:00

Photo by Umbriart

1st Gubbio – Childrens Festival
7th Umber tide - Daltonico Studio, Live Music “Arezzo Wave Bands 2009”
10th C di C - Teatro Comunale, Prose recital “Lezioni Americane” by Italo Calvino
14th Umber tide - Daltonico Studio, Live Music Omar Pedrini in Concert - “Timoria”
15th Citta di Castello - Piazza Matteotti , Antique and Retro Market
14-15th Citta di Castello - Ponte sul Tevere, Canoe competition
22nd Gubbio – Groupo dei Verdi, Market, fresh local produce
28th C di C - Teatre Comunale,Franz Leahr poetry recital “La Vedova Allergra”
29th C di C - Scuola di Musica, Jazz Trio - S Zanchini, M. Gerboni, G. Farina
29th Umber tide - Teatro dei Riuniti, “Il Popolo non ha il Pane”

Italians to snub ST Valentine's day

2009-02-14T09:41:00.003+01:00

More than half of Italians expecting a gift from their lovers on Valentine's Day this weekend are in for a disappointment, the Coldiretti farmers' group said Thursday.
Some 52% of people in a poll by the union said they had no intention of digging into their pockets for a romantic present this year - an increase of 7% on Valentine rubbishers in 2008.
The economic crisis will also take its toll on lovers planning to shell out this year, with more people opting for cheaper gifts like flowers (25%) and clothes (11%), Coldiretti said.
Around 9% of Italians said they would buy chocolates or sweets - a 5% drop on 2008 figures, while just 3% were planning to buy jewellery - down 6% on last year.
But the group said florists expected to sell 20 million flowers this year, including 14 million roses, at a cost of 75 million euros.

Another farmers' group, CIA, said around 50% of under-18s would not buy presents this year, but 35% of these would say 'I love you' by SMS or email.
The president of consumer rights group Codacons, Carlo Rienzi, meanwhile started an official campaign to ''cancel St Valentine's from the calendar as a form of protest, not against those in love, but against a pointless recurrence of unrestrained consumerism''.
''Let's be honest, St Valentine's Day gets on everyone's nerves - both for singles, who feel alone and a bit sad, and for those in couples, who feel obliged to give something because of social convention,'' Rienzi said on his website, www.carlorienzi.it.

''People who are really in love should not feel pressured by this symbol of consumerism but should celebrate their love every day,'' he added.
Consumer rights association Adoc confirmed that lovers will also be saving their pennies on Valentine's meals, with 65% deciding to stay home and cook rather than go to a restaurant.
Among the most popular dishes people planned to prepare on Saturday were polenta with creamed cheese, 'trofie' pasta with flowers and pesto and buffalo mozzarella with tomato mousse, followed up by chili-pepper-flavoured chocolate, strawberries or spumante.

Not everyone was shying away from grand romantic gestures, however.
A Genoa bus driver has forked out 400 euros for advertising space on three city buses, one of which he drives, and which now bear the message ''Federica, I live for you only'' as a Valentine's present to his wife.
''It was simply a way of showing my love and affection for my wife. We've been married for 12 years and I love her to distraction,'' the doting driver said.
Consumer moans are also unlikely to stop lovers from turning out in droves at St Valentine's birthplace at Terni in Umbria.

Each year couples swear undying passion in the cathedral that houses the saint's head.
Couples also flock each year to the small Sardinian town of Sadali near Nuoro to ask the saint to look kindly on them and bless engagements.
The ritual has been going on for centuries in the town's 15th-century church, only the second in Italy to be devoted to St Valentine.

In local dialect the saint is affectionately known as Su Coiadori (''he who betrothes'') and many of the couples expect their pilgrimage to bless their marriage (''coias'' in dialect).
As well as saintly enterprises, Italy boasts other romantic rites for St Valentine's Day.
The small southern town of Vico del Gargano, for instance, has a 300-year-old tradition of garlanding a lovers' lane.

http://www.italymag.co.uk
Published on Fri, 02/13/2009 - 08:56 Life & Style